It’s All About Trust

The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project is a five-year, peer-to-peer initiative aiming to address the systemic and interpersonal power gaps between foundations and nonprofits, and to support funders who are ready to flip the script on that dynamic.

Trust-based philanthropy reimagines traditional funder-grantee relationships by taking a more expansive, relational approach to grantmaking, centered on building trust and partnership, recognizing the inherent power imbalances between grantmakers and seekers, and understanding how these imbalances are exacerbated by systemic racism and gender discrimination. Our fundamental belief is that philanthropic work is impossible without the leadership and expertise of nonprofit leaders who are working on the front lines of the issues philanthropy seeks to address. If foundations want to be successful in advancing their goals, the work must be approached as a partnership, in the spirit of service.

The convergence of multiple crises in our society has, indeed, demonstrated that the only way forward is to trust in nonprofit and community leadership, to listen and learn from one another, and to embrace trust-based practices that allow nonprofits to focus their energies where they are most needed.

Since March, hundreds of foundations have pledged to make trust-based changes, including unrestricting grants, loosening paperwork requirements, and responding to the needs of those closest to the issues at hand – making significant strides in their journey toward trust-based philanthropy, with demonstrable results.

But this is only a starting point. Looking ahead, let’s remember that trust-based philanthropy is most successful, and rewarding, as a long-term strategy of continuous learning and improving. The journey to trust-based philanthropy has many entry points, but at its core is a singular recognition: that trust must be continuously cultivated and nurtured at all levels of our work. In short, it’s about both what we do and how we show up.